18 Jul 2019
Updated July 2022.
Tax time is here again and for many of us that means bank accounts looking a little healthier thanks to a refund. There are many options when it comes to putting your tax refund to use, but it's never a bad idea to treat yourself to a holiday - you've worked hard all year, after all.
Maybe you're looking for an escape from the winter chill or an adventure exploring the snowfields or wine regions. Maybe you just need some time to get away from it all and recharge. No matter your taste, here are five reasons why travel is the best way to spend your tax return.
1. TRAVEL WILL SEE YOU MAKE REAL MEMORIES
Some people might look to splurge on electrical goodies at tax time, but TVs don’t make family memories. Your kids won’t remember the best day they had watching movies, but they’ll remember the time they got up close and personal with a kangaroo at Pambula Beach, or the time you fished together by the river in Echuca-Moama.
Making family memories together is easy when you can pack up the car and escape to a home away from home in some of our country's most magnificent locations.
READ ALSO: The Best Holiday Accommodation in Australia
2. TRAVEL HELPS YOU BECOME EXPERIENCE RICH
There’s an old saying: travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer – in experiences. While short-term purchases might give you an endorphin hit for an hour or two, heading out to discover somewhere new can be life changing.
A week exploring the Red Centre will see you crossing off bucket list items and taking in immersive experiences you’ll never forget, or hit the road to become an expert on the Great Ocean Road. You’ll never run out of new experiences to try no matter which direction you head.
3. TRAVEL CAN PROMOTE REST AND RELAXATION
Let’s be real – you’ve earned a break! Get away from the pressures of everyday living and go somewhere where life runs at a different pace. Spend your days on palm-fringed Queensland beaches, head back to nature with a secluded glamping stay, or feel the sand between your toes as you soak up a famous Rottnest Island sunset.
Don’t underestimate the importance of taking some time to rest and recharge, to reconnect with the people who matter most, and to take some proper time for your wellbeing.
4. TRAVEL HELPS YOU GET CREATIVE
There’s no doubt that the daily grind can cramp our creative style. Going on holidays puts you somewhere fresh, with a new outlook and bright ideas. Look for new sights to inspire your creativity – whether it’s with artistic pics on your social media or another creative channel – and be the envy of your mates stuck at work behind their desks.
Instead of sharing your latest gadget purchase, capture the unique charm of a local market, or swap your usual food photos for your view of the river from your cabin deck in Forster.
READ ALSO: Four of the Best Winter Markets in Australia
5. TRAVEL OPENS YOU UP TO THE POSSIBILITIES
We know there’s no end to the list of things we need to do in life – the groceries, the cleaning, getting to the gym, managing your workload… the list goes on. But what if you had the opportunity to focus on what you could do instead?
Holidays help you do just that. Which Barossa Valley winery could we visit this afternoon? Which 4WD track could we try out this weekend? Could we stay by the pool today? We bet that focusing on the possibilities will have you dreaming about the future, asking ‘where to next?’
READ ALSO: Mid-Year Holiday Resolutions
The only question is where to go!
With over 80 holiday parks to choose from in some of the country’s most sought-after destinations, you’re spoiled for choice whether you want to travel in your own state or further afield. Where will you go next?